Replacing Radioactive Static Control Systems

The radioactive substance Polonium 210 has been prominent in the news following reports that it was used to poison the Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The radioactive substance Polonium 210 has been prominent in the news following reports that it was used to poison the Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The naturally occurring radioactive material emits highly hazardous alpha particles and in high doses can damage human tissues and organs.

In industry, Polonium 210 can be found in applications, including some types of static control systems, as used in the printing and packaging industries.

According to static control systems manufacturer, Meech International, whilst Polonium 210-based systems can provide effective neutralisation of static charge, their hazardous nature is such that special precautions must be taken.

Such measures can be onerous and costly, added the company.

However, Oxfordshire (UK) based, Meech, said it has developed its technology based on active electrical systems, rather than radioactive materials.

Those systems are installed worldwide and are proven in resolving problems of poor quality and productivity associated with uncontrolled static charge, claimed Meech.

Steve Pheasant, Meech's sales and marketing director, said: "Over the years we have been very successful in replacing existing radioactive ionisation systems installed in factories throughout the world.

Many companies have found that the controls necessary to use radioactive systems safely have become too prohibitive and the effectiveness of modern non-radioactive systems can make the change-over an easy process.".

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